Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, May 1, 2025 :  After a busy three-day schedule in Digha, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wasted no time in addressing issues close to her heart. Upon returning from the coastal town, she made an unscheduled visit to Mechua Bazar, a bustling area in Kolkata known for its old, cramped buildings and market hazards.

During her visit, the Chief Minister took the opportunity to raise concerns about the many dangerous, dilapidated buildings in the city, particularly in areas like Barabazar and Jorasanko. She pointed out that these buildings, some of which are centuries old, pose an imminent risk of collapse, endangering the lives of the residents and passersby. Mamata Banerjee also spoke about several irregularities at a hotel she referred to as the “cursed hotel,” which has been a subject of local controversy due to safety and structural issues.

While interacting with locals, the Chief Minister emphasized that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation had already issued notices regarding the dangerous state of some buildings in the city. However, despite these warnings, many residents continue to live in these precarious structures, reluctant to vacate their homes due to various reasons, including financial constraints and lack of alternative housing.

“These buildings are in such a state that they can collapse at any time. It’s a matter of life and death, and yet people are unwilling to leave. We have warned them repeatedly, but it seems no one is paying attention,” said Mamata Banerjee.

Mamata Banerjee also reiterated her concerns about fire safety in the Barabazar area, which has witnessed several devastating fires in the past. The Chief Minister pointed out that despite the serious risk, many businesses in the area continue to store flammable materials, such as plastic and chemicals, which could spark another disaster. She specifically mentioned the Nanda Market fire, which occurred when she was in opposition, and highlighted the lack of government action at the time.

“When I was in opposition, there was a major fire in Nanda Market. I sat on the streets for three days protesting because there was no government response. When we came to power, we built a fire station and a police station to prevent such incidents,” she added.

Despite her repeated warnings, the Chief Minister lamented that the Barabazar Business Association continues to ignore safety protocols. “They are still storing plastic inside their buildings and chemicals in hazardous conditions. When a fire breaks out, they run away, leaving others to die. How many more people need to die before they realize the danger?” she asked.

In a candid moment, Mamata Banerjee expressed her frustration with the public’s lack of action, but also made a personal plea. “If you don’t vote for me after I say all this, then don’t vote for me. But remember, I am saying this for your own good. I want you to be safe. Please save lives,” she said, urging the public to take her warnings seriously.

Her words were a pointed reminder of the deadly risks posed by overcrowded, unregulated areas in the city, where the combination of old, unstable buildings and poor fire safety practices create a ticking time bomb.

As she addressed the gathered crowd, Mamata Banerjee’s message also had a political undertone. She made it clear that her push for safety and reform should not be misunderstood as an electoral strategy. “I want your well-being, not your votes. If you don’t vote for me for saying these things, so be it. But please remember that I am only asking for your safety.”

The Chief Minister’s visit to Mechua Bazar and her impassioned speech highlight the ongoing challenges Kolkata faces in managing its old infrastructure and improving safety standards. While the government has taken steps to address these issues, including setting up new fire stations and enforcing safety regulations, it seems there is still significant resistance to change among both the public and local businesses.

The Chief Minister’s call for action serves as a reminder that the road to safer, more regulated urban environments is often met with resistance, but it is one that must be traveled to prevent future tragedies.

Baby Chakraborty, Kolkata, April 22, 2025: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday inaugurated a new thermal power plant in Salboni, describing it as a “historic project” that will significantly enhance the state’s power infrastructure. Addressing a gathering at the event, the Chief Minister announced that the power plant will benefit 21 districts and generate employment for approximately 4,000 people. The project, involving two units of 5 MW capacity each, has been developed at an estimated cost of ₹1 crore.

Speaking from the launch platform, Banerjee emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to address electricity issues in West Bengal. She highlighted that electricity is now supplied round the clock across the state and asserted that the problem of load shedding will soon be eliminated entirely. “Two more thermal power plants are in the pipeline. I will inaugurate a solar plant tomorrow,” the Chief Minister said, reaffirming her government’s focus on renewable and consistent energy supply.

In her address, Mamata Banerjee also took a swipe at the opposition, particularly the CPI(M), criticizing their handling of electricity supply during their time in power.

The event saw the presence of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, adding a special touch to the inauguration. Also present were senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary.

Banerjee noted that other key power infrastructure projects are progressing steadily. In Sagardighi, a 5 MW unit is nearing completion. Similar efforts are underway in Durgapur and Bakreshwar, where new plants are being developed. She also informed that a German company is contributing 5 percent of the funding for the Salboni project, while the state government is bearing 20 percent of the cost.

The Chief Minister had initially planned to inaugurate the plant on April 23 but advanced the event by a day due to her official commitments. The launch marks a significant milestone in West Bengal’s energy development plans and aligns with the state’s broader goals for industrial growth and employment generation.

Baby Chakraborty, Kolkata, April 22, 2025: West Bengal Governor Dr. CV Ananda Bose was admitted to the Command Hospital in South Kolkata after experiencing sudden chest pain, sources confirmed on Monday. The incident has sparked concern across political and administrative circles, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visiting the Governor at the hospital before departing for an official visit to Shalbani.

Governor Bose, who had recently returned from an inspection tour in Murshidabad, reportedly began feeling unwell a day after his return to Kolkata. Medical evaluations conducted at the Command Hospital revealed a blockage in his heart, prompting doctors to consider the possibility of bypass surgery. While he is currently under primary medical care, sources indicate that a transfer to another hospital may be necessary for advanced treatment.

The Governor had been in Murshidabad to assess the situation related to ongoing unrest over Waqf property issues. His tour concluded on Saturday, and his health condition surfaced soon after.

Speaking to reporters outside the hospital, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed concern about the Governor’s condition. “The Governor’s health is bad. I saw him. Treatment is underway,” she said, offering reassurance about the ongoing medical care.

As the situation develops, updates on the Governor’s condition and treatment plan are expected from official sources. The state government and Raj Bhavan remain closely engaged with the medical team overseeing his recovery.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, April 16, 2025: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decided to send a team to Murshidabad following widespread unrest and allegations of human rights violations linked to violent protests against the Waqf Act. The move comes after a series of violent incidents, including the tragic deaths of four individuals, including a father and son, in Shamsherganj. The NHRC team is expected to conduct an on-site investigation and submit a report within three weeks.

The unrest, which has rocked several areas of Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian, Shamsherganj, and Jangipur, has caused significant distress to the local population. Many residents have been displaced, with numerous families seeking refuge in camps in the neighbouring Malda district. In its statement, the NHRC expressed grave concern over the murders of the father and son in Shamsherganj and the alleged lack of police action in response to these incidents.

The NHRC has instructed its Investigation Division to form a special team to visit Murshidabad and examine the situation firsthand. “Amidst the protests against the Waqf Act, news reports on social media have alleged that a father and son were murdered. It is also claimed that the police failed to take appropriate action,” the NHRC stated in its official letter to the DG of the Investigation Division. The team will be tasked with investigating the violence and providing a comprehensive report within the next three weeks.

In addition to the deaths, the violence surrounding the Waqf Act protests has resulted in widespread human rights violations, particularly against Hindus, according to local sources. The NHRC team is expected to visit several affected areas to take stock of the situation and assess the scale of the alleged violations.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who visited the local hospital to meet injured victims, condemned the state’s handling of the situation. Speaking to the media, Chowdhury claimed that the actual scale of the violence was far worse than what was being reported by the administration. He revealed that he had met with several victims, including three people who had suffered gunshot wounds during the clashes in Samserganj.

One of the victims, a young boy of around 11 or 12 years, had sustained severe injuries to his right kidney and was in critical condition, according to Chowdhury. “I met one boy who was hit by a bullet while he went out to buy medicine for his mother. The bullet is still lodged in his body,” Chowdhury said, adding that the government was not revealing the true number of injured victims.

Chowdhury also lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, criticizing her for not visiting the affected areas in Murshidabad. “Why is the CM not visiting Jangipur? Her teams can travel to Hathras and Manipur, but why not to Murshidabad? Is it because it’s not a priority?” he asked.

In a more alarming development, preliminary reports from the Union Home Ministry have suggested the possible involvement of Bangladeshi miscreants in fueling the violence in Murshidabad. While the Centre has yet to release an official statement, sources indicate that the violence was exacerbated by external elements. The report also criticizes the West Bengal Police for failing to control the situation effectively.

The violence erupted during protests demanding the repeal of the Waqf Act and quickly escalated into clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers. At least three people have been confirmed dead, and several others have been injured, with multiple areas in Murshidabad resembling conflict zones.

In response to the growing unrest, the authorities have deployed Border Security Force (BSF) personnel starting Friday night, followed by paramilitary forces on Saturday night, as per a Calcutta High Court directive. Despite these measures, the situation remains tense, with ongoing violence and frequent skirmishes between police and protesters.

The ongoing conflict has forced many residents, especially women and children, to flee their homes. A large number of displaced people have taken shelter in schools across the Malda district, particularly in the Vaishnavnagar area. Local authorities are scrambling to provide relief and ensure the safety of those who have been affected by the violence.

The NHRC’s decision to send a team to Murshidabad is seen as an urgent response to the growing human rights concerns in the region. With the situation continuing to evolve, all eyes are on the commission’s investigation and the measures the state government will take to restore order and protect the rights of the affected communities.